#Glow: Seed Oils

As we continue with our last blog for February, with the theme of #selflove, we’re going to talk about one of those feel-good, yummy self-care trends: face oils. 

If you’ve been even slightly aware of recent skincare trends, you’ll know that face oils have been becoming incredibly popular the past few years. It seems like it’s opened doors for a whole new area we have to be educated on. Questions like: What type of oil should I be using? Is coconut oil okay? What about fractionated coconut oil? What’s the difference? Will it help if my skin is dehydrated vs. dry?

While it would be nearly impossible to cover every aspect of face oils in one blog, today we’re going to focus on one specific type for the skin: seed oils.

I wasn’t introduced to seed oils for the face until about a year ago. I had mostly tried face oils that contained various forms of jojoba, sunflower, or coconut oil. My skin tends to be dehydrated, but oily in my t-zone and acne-prone. This is common for many people, and it means that although the skin isn’t technically dry (no peeling or flakiness, for example) it tends to need extra hydration. Every other oil I had tried had been a no-go for me, causing excessive oiliness, blackheads, breakouts, and weirdly, even sometimes even more dryness. Oils can help rebalance how hydrated your skin is, but often people will use the wrong face oil for their skin type, which leads to the oil sitting on top of the skin and not absorbing properly. It can also confuse the skin, stopping it from creating its own oils, and causing more dryness.

This is where seed oils come in. My first bottle of face oil made exclusively from seeds was from Samaya Organics. I’m not sponsored by them, and we don’t sell them at Infinity, so you can rest assured this review is coming from the heart! When I first tried the oil, I was skeptical, but the creator, Hari Prakash, had noted that these oils were meant for those who hadn’t had success with other face oils. Her oils are specifically created for those who suffer from a wide variety of skin issues, so while most oils are going to be anti-aging in nature, these oils also work for those with acne-type issues (the very people who are usually afraid to use oils).

Within a week, my skin had started to take on a new glow. I hadn’t switched any of my other products, so I knew it was the oil. All of the redness and irritation I had been experiencing slowly disappeared, and suddenly people were commenting on how hydrated my skin looked. So, of course, I decided I had to research seed oils and see what sort of science and/or magic was at work.

While research on seed oils specifically for skincare is still relatively new, some studies have shown the amazing therapeutic effect seed oils have on the skin barrier. Additionally, seed oils are particularly anti-inflammatory, aiding in wound healing and assisting in recovery from skin diseases including issues like rosacea, eczema, and acne. 

Seed oils are exceptionally high in fatty acids. Fatty acids are important because they create healthy cell membranes, which is an absolute must for the skin barrier. Think of them like you’d think about eating a well-balanced meal: in order for your body to replenish, it needs specific types of nutrients. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, so it’s no different. Feed it well!

Seed oils are also particularly high in phenolic compounds, which are types of antioxidants. As a quick refresher, antioxidants are those things that protect you from the damaging effects of free radicals (things like smoke, alcohol, and pesticides are all examples of free radicals). Interestingly enough, although phenolic compounds protect you from free radicals when applied topically, the compounds also work to keep the oils themselves from oxidizing. This means that if you buy a high-quality face oil, it’s already naturally “preserved” and doesn’t need any chemical stabilizers to keep it from going bad. 

It’s important to note that not all oils are created equally, and this applies to seed oils as well. When face oils first became popular, many cheap, refined oils were being used and sold at high prices (plenty still are). Refined oils use heat and chemicals, including bleaching, to extract as much oil as possible, and while this is cost efficient, it means the quality is significantly lower. Lin, Zhong, and Santiago say it best in their 2017 study of plant oils: “...cold-pressed plant oils have better nutritive properties than those that have undergone the refining process.” If an oil is labeled raw, pure, virgin, or unrefined, you know it’s most likely good quality. I will note that in my experience and in the research I’ve done, it’s more difficult to come across a low-quality seed oil. Skincare companies that use seed oils are usually focused on creating top-notch products, while oils like coconut and olive are more likely to be mass-produced. This isn’t anything against those oils; it just means you’ll have to work harder to ensure you’re getting good quality. 

Now that we’ve taken a broad look at seed oils, let’s take a closer look at some specific ones and their benefits!

Strawberry seed oil: exceptionally high in essential fatty acids, particularly rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Great for deep hydration, and helps improve skin elasticity. 

Kiwi seed oil: also exceptionally high in Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as being a great source of Vitamins C and E. Especially good for helping smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

Raspberry seed oil: raspberry seed oil has been scientifically proven to have sun-protection qualities. Although it’s not a substitute for SPF, it does offer protection from the sun by absorbing UVB and UVC rays. 

Cucumber seed oil: the perfect anti-aging seed oil. It helps diminish aging by improving skin firmness, as well as promoting cellular regeneration.

Green tea seed oil: this oil is best for particularly dehydrated skin with it’s significant emollient properties. It also works well on the dry patches of the body, like the elbows, heels, and hands.

Papaya seed oil: this oil is high in vitamin C, which helps to lighten and brighten skin. It works to even out skin tone, diminishing acne scars and dark spots while gently helping the skin naturally exfoliate.

Chia seed oil: while all the oils we’ve listed are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, chia seed is the winner here. It has the highest level of botanical Omega-3 fatty acids currently known, so it’s a bit of a wonder oil!

Milk thistle seed oil: interestingly enough, although milk thistle is used in skincare products and known for its antioxidant properties, it’s also been used in research studying the effects it can have on conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. So far, they’ve found it might be beneficial for age-related diseases internally, as well as externally. 

Blueberry seed oil: blueberries are known to be an antioxidant powerhouse, but blueberry seed oil also contains high levels of Vitamin A, B complex, C, and E. 

These are just a few seed oils, and there are many, many more. If you’re looking at a product that contains seed oils, take a peek at the ingredients and see what you can identify. When in doubt, research! If you’re looking for other products with seed oils, I’d recommend looking at True Botanicals, MARA, and Maya Chia. However, make sure that none of the other ingredients will bother your skin or cause a breakout; I’d recommend reading through the complete ingredients list.

If you do try incorporating seed oils into your routine, let us know. We’d love to hear if you notice a newfound #glow!

The author of this blog, Layla Hanson, is a writer and project manager for Infinity Aesthetics, specializing in holistic media production. You can see her popping in and out of the office from time to time to snap photos for our Instagram and website. Feel free to say hi and offer to pose for a picture!